[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMPREHENSIVE AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

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                               speech of

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2008

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Comprehensive 
American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act increases 
regulation and continues to limit production of abundant American 
energy resources. This legislation follows the Majority's typical path 
of runaway spending, higher taxes, and more red tape for domestic 
energy production:
  This legislation deepens our dependence on foreign oil by permanently 
banning production of 97 percent of the 10.5 billion barrels off the 
coast of California, and over 85 percent of American's energy 
resources.
  It contains no revenue sharing provision, thus giving states a major 
disincentive to agree to off-shore drilling. It also prohibits drilling 
in areas where experts say most of the energy resources is known to be 
found.
  H.R. 6899 imposes a massive tax increase of $17.7 billion over 10 
years on companies engaged in domestic energy production. At this time 
of economic uncertainty, increasing taxes does nothing but threaten 
millions of American jobs. By raising costs on domestic production, 
consumers can expect the higher taxes to be passed down to them. This 
measure would limit efforts to expand American energy supplies, which 
ensures further dependence on Hugo Chavez and unstable Middle Eastern 
nations for their sources of oil.
  I cannot support a bill that says no to clean coal, no to nuclear and 
no to new refineries.
  Energy is the critical issue of our time, and this Democratic 
Congress refuses to let the House engage in and debate a real, 
meaningful energy bill that actually produces energy. We need a 
vigorous energy policy that relies on American resources for American 
energy while growing our economy and creating countless new jobs.
  The American people expect and deserve better. This country needs a 
serious, aggressive, all-of-the-above energy plan that will lead us to 
energy independence, not a hoax of an energy bill.

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